Danang police have arrested 13 individuals accused of operating a large-scale, cross-border online fraud ring. The suspects were taken into custody upon re-entering Vietnam from Cambodia, and authorities say the network defrauded over 1,200 victims out of nearly $4 million.

On February 10, the Criminal Police Division of Danang Police announced the dismantling of the transnational operation and confirmed the suspects face charges for using computer networks, telecommunications, and electronic means to illegally appropriate assets. Their arrests and indictments have been approved by the Danang People’s Procuracy.

Among the named suspects are Duong Van Khoi (born 1992), Pham Tri Nghi (1990), Le Van Linh (2001), Dao Van Huy (1992), and Dao Van Hai (1997), all from Bac Ninh province. The identities of others - including Dao Minh Chien, Vu Truong Giang, Vu Van Nam, Ha Viet Ly, Ong Thi Nhung, Nguyen Van Bac, Bach Van Long, and Ngo Tri Cong - are still under investigation.

According to initial findings, the group began operations in early 2025 by creating fake Vietcombank fanpages. They used spoofed call centers and VOIP software to impersonate credit card service agents, tricking victims into transferring money as "proof of financial capacity" before disappearing with the funds.

The stolen money was funneled into the purchase of digital vouchers, gaming cards, and electronics on e-commerce platforms. These items were then resold, helping the group launder and legitimize the flow of money. Investigators say the ring was structured to avoid detection, using virtual phone numbers and encryption to conceal their identities.

Police identified the mastermind as Nguyen Van Hung, who oversaw a 23-person operation based in the New World compound in Bavet City, Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia.

The group was divided into distinct units: one handled cold-calling victims through the fake pages; another, dubbed the "verification team", demanded payments via spoofed hotlines; while a third team, led by Dao Van Huy and Dao Van Hai in Vietnam, focused on receiving and processing the funds through digital transactions and purchases.

The scam's profits were split 66% to the Cambodian-based operators and 34% to the Vietnam-based handlers. Payments were conducted via cryptocurrency to further obscure the money trail.

Danang authorities estimate the ring defrauded more than 1,200 victims across Vietnam from early 2025 to early 2026, with total damages around 100 billion VND (approximately $4 million).

Police are continuing their investigation and expanding efforts to identify and apprehend additional members of the syndicate.

Ho Giap